Menaka to sing at SOSL Christmas concert

Soprano Menaka de Fonseka Sahabandu will be the soloist at the upcoming Christmas concert of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, conducted by Ajit Abeysekara on Friday, December 8 at 7.30 p.m. at Ladies' College hall. She will sing the popular Czadas aria from the operetta "Die Fledermaus" by Johann Strauss Jr. followed by "Juliet's Waltz Song" from Gounod's "Romeo & Juliet" and "Una Voce Poco Fa" from Rossini's "Barber of Seville".

The rest of the programme includes Brahms "Academic Festival Overture", excerpts from "Rosamunde" by Schubert and other popular Christmas music by Leroy Anderson, Berlioz and Adam. Soul Sounds directed by Soundarie David will also perform popular Christmas favourites.

Menaka, a Fellow of the Trinity College, London and a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in both piano and singing, has been a frequent soloist with the Symphony Orchestra since her debut in 1989 playing Saint Saens' 2nd Piano Concerto in G minor. She has also been soloist with orchestra in Handel's "Messiah", Saint Saens' "Christmas Oratorio" and works by Deva Surya Sena to name but a few. A winner of the SAARC Women's Association award for music in 2002, Menaka's teaching career goes back 22 years.

The concert is sponsored by Link Natural Products and is in aid of the Sunera Foundation. Tickets are available from Titus Stores Liberty Plaza or by calling the SOSL office (Tel. 2682033).

Meanwhile, the SOSL’s family Christmas concert follows on December 10. The participation of Sunera Foundation at the concert was facilitated last year by Link Natural Products as a social responsibility in supporting a worthy social cause. Sunera Foundation participated in raising funds for their activities that lend a compassionate hand to children with disabilities. This year too, Sunera Foundation will be showcasing their activities in support of fund raising. Link Natural Products and Standard Chartered Bank continue to sponsor this year's annual subscription and family Christmas concerts by the SOSL.

Standard Chartered Bank has been associated with SOSL for many years being one of the initial corporate sponsors and over the past few years has sponsored the annual family Christmas concert.

The Sunera Foundation will hold a thought-provoking Photo Exhibition titled "Spirit of Sunera" that will feature their work with people with disabilities in Sri Lanka.